In a recent message, Pastor Greg Laurie pushed back against the growing acceptance of replacement theology—the belief that the church has replaced Israel in God’s redemptive plan.
“Some would even say that God has broken His covenant with Israel and now it’s given over to the church. This is called replacement theology,” he said. “I don’t believe that God breaks promises that He makes. I believe God chose the Jewish people, and they are still His chosen people.”
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Quoting God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis, Greg Laurie reminded listeners, “I’ll bless those that bless you, I’ll curse those that curse you.” He emphasized the spiritual debt Christians owe to the Jewish people: “We have been so blessed by the Jewish people. Where did our Bible come from? From the Jews. Where did our Messiah come from? From the Jews.”
Recounting a recent trip to Israel, Laurie described a meaningful moment of solidarity: “I had the opportunity to be in Israel only days ago when we presented an armored ambulance to the state of Israel. And think about that—an armored ambulance. Only in a place like that would they need an ambulance that’s built literally like a tank—effectively a bulletproof hospital on wheels—because the terrorist organizations had specifically said that they should target the first responders.”
Standing before Israeli officials, Laurie explained his motivation for visiting the nation: “I said the reason I’m here is because my life was changed by Jesus Christ, and I began to read the Bible, which tells us all about God and His plan for our life. But I said it also tells me the history of your people, the Jewish people. And so I’ve come to love you, and there’s a blessing promised to those that would bless you.”
The pastor also connected America’s longstanding support of Israel with divine favor: “I believe one of the reasons God has blessed the United States of America is because we have been a staunch ally and friend to Israel ever since [it] became a nation again on May 14, 1948.” However, he acknowledged that this support does not mean blind agreement: “That doesn’t mean that everything the modern state of Israel does is always the right decision any more than it means everything that America does… is always making the right decision.”
Refuting the accusation that modern Jews are colonizers, Laurie said: “No, they’re not colonizers. The Jewish people are the people who are indigenous to the land. God gave them that land, and God says in Romans 11 that He has not cast off His people.”
Ultimately, Laurie urged believers to show love to the Jewish people: “We need to let our Jewish friends know that they have a friend in the evangelical Christian… Yes, we want them to come and know Jesus as the Messiah, but let’s just start by showing our love in a tangible way.”
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Christians are called to stand with Israel not merely as a political stance but as a reflection of biblical truth and faithfulness to God’s enduring promises. Supporting the Jewish people honors the covenant God made with Abraham and recognizes the vital role Israel plays in the story of redemption. Above all, standing with Israel is an act of obedience that honors God’s unchanging word and promises.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
